Dendrobium plant named ‘Suden1603’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Dendrobium cultivar named ‘Suden1603’ which is characterized by the combination of a small to medium plant size, medium-sized flowers, purple flowers with sepals that are tipped white, as well as the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus andspecies of the novel variety disclosed herein is Dendrobium hybrid Sw.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Dendrobium disclosedherein has been given the variety denomination ‘Suden1603’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Community Plant Variety Rightsapplication number 2016/2011, filed Aug. 16, 2016, which is hereinincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: The Dendrobium variety ‘Suden1603’ is the result of a plannedbreeding program. ‘Suden1603’ originated as a seedling from the crossingof Dendrobium ‘B’ (not patented), the seed parent, with Dendrobium‘J2No.1’ (not patented), the pollen parent. Both parents were developedby, and are owned by, the inventor and were never commercially released.The crossing was made by the inventor in his research greenhouse inBangphra, Thailand in October of 2002. The new variety was firstselected in February of 2005 due its unique growth and bloomcharacteristics, in a research greenhouse in Bangphra, Thailandbelonging to the inventor. After identifying the new variety as apotentially interesting selection, the inventor continued confidentialtesting and propagation of ‘Suden1603’, to confirm the stability anduniformity of the unique characteristics first observed.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar‘Suden1603’, by way of mericloning, was first initiated in June of 2006at a commercial laboratory belonging to the inventor in Bangphra,Thailand. Access to all plants was restricted, as plants were kept in agreenhouse not open to the public, and tissue culture plantlets were ina laboratory belonging to the inventor, and not accessible to thepublic. Through five subsequent generations, the unique features of thiscultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Suden1603’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingtraits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of ‘Suden1603’. These characteristics in combinationdistinguish ‘Suden1603’ as a new and distinct Dendrobium cultivar:

-   -   1. Dendrobium ‘Suden1603’ exhibits a small to medium plant size;        and    -   2. Dendrobium ‘Suden1603’ exhibits medium-sized flowers; and    -   3. Dendrobium ‘Suden1603’ exhibits a purple general tonality of        the flower with the apices and distal portion of the sepals        colored white.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary plant of‘Suden1603’ grown in a commercial greenhouse in Honselersdijk, theNetherlands. This plant, grown in an 11 cm nursery container, isapproximately 35 months old from a rooted young plant.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, the typical foliage of‘Suden1603’.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, the typical flowers of‘Suden1603’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements made in August of 2017describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of 35 month-old‘Suden1603’ plants grown in 11 cm nursery pots in a greenhouse inBangphra, Thailand. Temperatures ranged from approximately 26 to 30degrees Celsius. The light sum was set at 5 moles per day and the plantwas given shading and artificial light in order to achieve the light sumof 5 moles per day.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘Suden1603’has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such characteristics are approximations or averagesset forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety maydiffer from the descriptions set forth herein with variations inenvironmental, climactic and cultural conditions. Color notations arebased on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

A botanical description of ‘Suden1603’ and comparisons with the parentsand most similar commercial variety of Dendrobium are provided below.

-   Plant description:    -   -   Growth habit.—Perennial; sympodial, upright. Multiple leafy            pseudobulbs growing from base, with flowers in terminal            inflorescences, carried above the leaf plane.        -   Average height from base (plant grown in hanging basket, so            no soil line present) to top of foliage.—18.1 cm.        -   Average height from base (plant grown in hanging basket, so            no soil line present) to top of flowers.—41.2 cm.        -   Plant spread.—Average of 27.8 cm.        -   Growth rate.—Moderate.        -   Plant vigor.—Moderate.        -   Propagation details.—Tissue culture propagation is performed            using meristem culture. Meristematic tissue is harvested            from the center of a newly-emerged vegetative bud and grown            on by constant agitation in a nutrient rich liquid until the            cell mass is large enough to be split into small sections.            These sections are either rooted and grown into young plants            for finishing in nursery pots or the tissue culture process            is repeated to produce more clones.        -   Time to produce a marketable plant.—Mericloning requires 18            months to yield a propagule which is ready to be rooted, or            “deflasked”, in soilless propagation media. After deflasking            the micropropagule, an additional 9 to 12 months is required            to produce a fully rooted plant under average temperatures            ranging between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius.        -   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Plants have            not been observed to be susceptible or resistant to            pathogens and pests common to Dendrobium.        -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to at least USDA Zones 11            and 12 and temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius; high            tolerance to rain; moderate tolerance to wind.-   Root system:    -   -   General.—Moderately dense rooting.        -   Dimensions, mature roots.—7.1 cm long with a diameter of            0.25 cm, on average.        -   Texture.—Fleshy; non-fibrous.        -   Color.—White, nearest to RHS NN155A; older roots are            orange-white, nearest to RHS 158B.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—Sympodial; pseudobulbs growing from base;            no lateral branches present.        -   Number of primary (main) stems per plant.—Four.        -   Number of secondary (lateral) branches per plant.—None.        -   Longitudinal section shape.—Narrow elliptic to oblanceolate;            axially ribbed.        -   Cross section shape.—Elliptical.        -   Length.—10.7 cm.        -   Diameter.—Averaging 1.6 cm at the widest point and 1.5 cm at            the narrowest point.        -   Internode length.—2.1 cm.        -   Luster.—Slightly glossy.        -   Attitude.—Average angle is 17.5 degrees from vertical plane;            ranging from 5 to 30 degrees.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Color, juvenile.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A.        -   Color, mature.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146A.        -   Color at internodes.—Yellow, nearest to in between RHS 5A            and 5B.        -   Color of older stem.—Greyed-green, nearest to in between RHS            195B and 195C.        -   Pubescence.—Glabrous.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Distichous.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 17 leaves per plant.        -   Lamina.—Dimensions — 14.9 cm long and 3.0 cm wide, on            average. Shape — Lanceolate. Aspect — Very slightly curved.            Apex — Acute. Base — Sheathing. Sheath dimensions — 3.0 cm            long and 1.5 cm wide, on average. Sheath color —            Yellow-Green, nearest to RHS 145B; veined darker, nearest to            RHS 144B. Margin — Entire. Pubescence, texture and luster of            adaxial surface — Glabrous, smooth, and moderately glossy.            Pubescence, texture and luster of abaxial surface —            Glabrous, smooth, and slightly glossy. Color — Juvenile            foliage, adaxial surface — Nearest to in between green, RHS            143A, and yellow-green, RHS 144A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial            surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A. Mature foliage,            adaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS NN137A. Mature            foliage, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS            146A. Venation — Parallel. Venation color, adaxial surface —            Green, nearest to RHS NN137A. Venation color, abaxial            surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146A.        -   Petiole.—No petioles present, leaves sessile.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Simple terminal raceme with            flowers borne along the peduncle.        -   Natural flowering season.—Autumn into winter.        -   Time to flower.—Approximately 10 months.        -   Inflorescence quantity.—One.        -   Flowers per inflorescence.—Average of 13; 2 open flowers and            11 buds.        -   Inflorescence height.—Approximately 24.3 cm (measured from            base of lowest flower to top of upper flower).        -   Inflorescence diameter.—Approximately 10.8 cm.        -   Peduncle.—Dimensions — Approximately 30.4 cm long and 0.25            cm wide. Attitude — Approximately 25 degree angle to main            stem. Strength — Strong. Texture and luster — Glabrous and            moderately glossy. Color — Green, nearest to RHS 143B.-   Bud:    -   -   Length.—Average of 3.3 cm.        -   Diameter.—Average of 1.5 cm.        -   Shape.—Obovate; curved.        -   Pubescence, texture and luster.—Glabrous, smooth and matte.        -   Color.—Yellow-green, nearest to a combination of RHS 145B            and 145C; apex and main veins of immature sepals are darker,            nearest to RHS 145A; upper surface is heavily suffused with            purple, RHS N77B.-   Flower:    -   -   Flower type.—Zygomorphic (orchidaceous), typical shape for            the genus Dendrobium.        -   Flowering habit.—Moderately floriferous.        -   Shape.—Zygomorphic, single; consisting of three sepals and            three petals, one of which is transformed into a labellum;            the two lateral petals are slightly overlapping the lateral            sepals and dorsal sepal at the base of the petals.        -   Aspect.—Flowers are outward-facing.        -   Height.—Approximately 6.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 6.4 cm.        -   Depth.—Approximately 3.3 cm.        -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.        -   Lastingness.—Up to 3 weeks.        -   Persistent.—Self-cleaning.        -   Petals.—Quantity of Petals — 3; two conventional petals and            one labellum. Arrangement — One lateral petal on each side,            separated by the labellum; unfused. Aspect — Petals are            slightly folded inward and curled downward at the distal            end. Length — Approximately 3.9 cm. Width — Approximately            3.0 cm. Shape — Broad rhomboidal to broad obovate; slightly            curled backwards. Apex — Undeeply emarginate. Base —            Cuneate. Margin — Entire; no undulation. Pubescence, texture            and luster of upper surface — Glabrous, velvety and matte.            Pubescence, texture and luster of lower surface — Glabrous,            velvety and matte. Color when opening, upper surface —            Purple, nearest to RHS NN78A, and veined slightly darker,            nearest to RHS N78A. Color when opening, lower surface —            Purple, nearest to RHS N78B; main vein is purple-violet,            nearest to RHS N80C. Color when fully opened, upper surface            — Purple, nearest to RHS NN78A. Color when fully opened,            lower surface — In between purple, RHS N78B, and            purple-violet, RHS N80B. Fading, upper surface — Not fading.            Fading, lower surface — Not fading. Venation color, fully            opened, upper surface — Purple, very slightly darker than            RHS NN78A. Venation color, fully opened, lower surface —            Main vein is purple-violet, nearest to RHS N80D. No other            veins are visible.        -   Labellum.—Shape — Central lobe — Obovate. Lateral lobes —            Obovate. Length — Central lobe — Approximately 3.3 cm.            Lateral lobes — Approximately 2.0 cm. Width — Central lobe —            Approximately 1.8 cm. Lateral lobes — Approximately 1.5 cm.            Apex — Central lobe — Abruptly acute. Lateral lobes —            Obtuse. Base — Central lobe — Cuneate. Lateral lobes —            Cuneate. Aspect — Central lobe — Strongly concaved. Lateral            lobes — Strongly concaved. Margin — Central lobe — Entire;            not undulate. Lateral lobes — Entire; strongly undulate.            Texture and luster of upper surface — Central lobe —            Glabrous, velvety, and slightly glossy. Lateral lobes —            Glabrous, velvety, and slightly glossy. Texture and luster            of lower surface — Central lobe — Glabrous, slightly            velvety, and moderately glossy. Lateral lobes — Glabrous,            slightly velvety, and moderately glossy. Color when opening,            upper surface — Central lobe — Purple, nearest to RHS N78A,            with a slightly darker margin of the callosities, nearest to            RHS N79C. Lateral lobes — Purple, nearest to a combination            of RHS N78B and N78C, and fading to yellow-green towards the            base, nearest to RHS 145D. Color when opening, lower surface            — Central lobe — Purple-violet, nearest to RHS N80B, and            fading to green-white towards the base, nearest to a            combination of RHS 157B and 157C. Lateral lobes —            Purple-violet, nearest to RHS N80B, and fading to            greyed-white towards the base, nearest to in between RHS            156C and 157C. Color when fully opened, upper surface —            Central lobe — Purple, nearest to in between RHS N78A and            NN78A with a slightly darker apex and margins of the            callosities, nearest to RHS NN78A. Lateral lobes — Purple,            nearest to RHS N78C, and fading to yellow-green towards the            base, nearest to RHS 145D. Color when fully opened, lower            surface — Central lobe — Purple-violet, nearest to RHS N80B,            and fading to green-white towards the base, nearest to a            combination of RHS 157B and 157C. Lateral lobes —            Purple-violet, nearest to in between RHS N80B and N80C, and            fading to greyed-white towards the base, nearest to in            between RHS 156B and 156C. Fading, upper surface — Not            fading. Fading, lower surface — Not fading. Venation color,            fully opened, upper surface — Central lobe — No veins are            visible. Lateral lobes — No veins are visible. Venation            color, fully opened, lower surface — Central lobe — Main            vein is purple, nearest to RHS N78B; no other veins are            visible. Lateral lobes — Main vein is purple, nearest to RHS            N78B; no other veins are visible. Labellum eye — Not            present. Callosities — Location — Centrally placed on the            central lobe of the labellum. Length — 2.0 cm, on average.            Width — 0.5 cm, on average. Color — Yellow-green, nearest to            RHS 145C.        -   Spurs.—Quantity — Average of 1. Length — Approximately            0.8 cm. Diameter — Approximately 0.6 cm. Vertical height —            Approximately 0.7 cm. Shape — Near triangular. Apex —            Bluntly acute. Base — Broad Cuneate. Pubescence, texture and            luster — Glabrous, smooth, and glossy. Color — Yellow-green,            nearest to RHS 145C; apex and under side are purple, nearest            to RHS NN78D.        -   Sepals.—Quantity — Average of 3 unfused sepals. Arrangement            — One dorsal sepal and two lateral sepals. Length — Dorsal            sepal — Approximately 3.5 cm. Lateral sepals — Approximately            3.5 cm. Width — Dorsal sepal — Approximately 1.4 cm. Lateral            sepals — Approximately 1.7 cm. Shape — Dorsal sepal — Narrow            ovate; slightly curled backwards. Lateral sepals — Ovate;            slightly curled downward and slightly curled backwards. Apex            — Dorsal sepal — Acute. Lateral sepals — Short apiculate.            Base — Dorsal sepal — Broad cuneate. Lateral sepals — Broad            cuneate. Margin — Dorsal sepal — Entire; not undulate.            Lateral sepals — Entire; not undulate. Pubescence, texture            and luster, upper surface — Dorsal sepal — Glabrous,            velvety, and matte. Lateral sepals — Glabrous, velvety, and            matte. Pubescence, texture and luster, lower surface —            Dorsal sepal — Glabrous, moderately velvety, and matte.            Lateral sepals — Glabrous, moderately velvety, and matte;            slightly glossy at the base. Color when opening, upper            surface — Dorsal sepal — Purple, nearest to in between RHS            N78B and NN78D; apex is yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145B.            Lateral sepals — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C; apex is            darker, nearest to a combination of RHS 145A and 145B; upper            surface is purple, nearest to a combination of RHS N78A and            N78B; lower surface is suffused with purple, nearest to RHS            N78C. Color when opening, lower surface — Dorsal sepal —            Purple, nearest to in between RHS 77B and 77C, and fading to            yellow-green towards the apex, nearest to RHS 145B. Lateral            sepals — Yellow-green, nearest to a combination of RHS 145B            and 145C; apex is darker, nearest to RHS 145A; upper surface            is suffused with purple, nearest to a combination of RHS            N78C. Color when fully opened, upper surface — Dorsal sepal            — Purple, nearest to in between RHS N78B and NN78C, and            fading to green-white towards the apex, nearest to RHS 157B.            Lateral sepals — Green-white, nearest to RHS 157D; apex is            darker, nearest to RHS 157B; upper surface is purple,            nearest to RHS NN78C; lower surface is suffused with purple,            nearest to RHS N78C. Color when fully opened, lower surface            — Dorsal sepal — Purple, nearest to a combination of RHS 77C            and 77D, and fading to yellow-green towards the apex,            nearest to RHS 145C. Lateral sepals — Yellow-green, nearest            to RHS 145C; apex is darker, nearest to RHS 145B; upper            surface is suffused with purple, nearest to RHS N78C; lower            surface is suffused with purple, nearest to RHS 76C. Fading,            upper surface — Not fading. Fading, lower surface — Not            fading. Venation color, fully opened, upper surface — Dorsal            sepal — No veins are visible. Lateral sepals — Main vein is            yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145D; no other veins are            visible. Venation color, fully opened, lower surface —            Dorsal sepal — No veins are visible. Lateral sepals — No            veins are visible.        -   Pedicels.—Length — Approximately 3.3 cm. Diameter —            Approximately 0.2 cm. Angle — Approximately 70 degree angle            to peduncle axis; varying between 60 and 90 degrees.            Strength — Moderately strong. Texture and luster — Glabrous            and moderately glossy. Color — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS            144B, and fading to green towards the proximal end, nearest            to RHS 143A; suffused with purple towards the distal end,            nearest to RHS N78B.        -   Bract.—Quantity — One bract present at the base of each            pedicel. Shape — Ovate. Dimensions — Average of 0.7 cm long            and 0.5 cm wide. Apex — Acute. Base — Folded around the base            of the pedicel. Margins — Entire. Color, both surfaces —            Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C; main vein and apex is            darker, nearest to RHS 145B.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Column.—Length — Approximately 0.6 cm. Diameter —            Approximately 0.8 cm. Color — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS            145C, and margined purple, nearest to a combination of RHS            N80A and N80B.        -   Ovary.—Position — Inferior Diameter — Approximately 0.25 cm.            Color — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS N144B, and suffused            with purple, nearest to RHS N78B.        -   Pollinia color.—Yellow, nearest to a combination of RHS 13B            and 13C.-   Seed and fruit: No fruit and seed production has been detected to    date.-   Comparisons with the parent plants: Plants of the new cultivar    ‘Suden1603’ may be distinguished from its seed parent, Dendrobium    ‘B’, by the characteristics described in Chart 1.

CHART 1 Characteristic ‘Suden1603’ Dendrobium ‘B’ Mature plant height.Shorter than ‘B’. Taller than ‘Suden1603’. Bloom habit. More floriferousLess floriferous than than ‘B’. ‘Suden1603’. Flower size. Smaller than‘B’. Larger than ‘Suden1603’. General coloration Purple, with sepalsWhite. of the flower. that are tipped white.

-   Plants of the new cultivar ‘Suden1603’ may be distinguished from its    pollen parent, Dendrobium ‘J2No.1’, by the characteristics described    in Chart 2.

CHART 2 Characteristic ‘Suden1603’ ‘J2No.1’ Plant vigor. More vigorousthan Less vigorous than ‘J2No.1’. ‘Suden1603’. Mature plant size. Largerthan ‘J2No.1’ Smaller than ‘Suden1603’. Bloom habit. More flowers perFewer flowers per inflorescence com- inflorescence compared pared to‘J2No.1’. to ‘Suden1603’. General coloration Darker purple. Lighterpurple. of the flower.

-   Comparison with the most similar Dendrobium cultivar known to the    inventor: ‘Suden1603’ is similar in many horticultural    characteristics to the commercial variety Dendrobium ‘SPCDW1007 ’    (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,324). However ‘Suden1603’ may be    distinguished from ‘SPCDW1007’ by the characteristics described in    Chart 3.

CHART 3 Characteristic ‘Suden1603’ ‘SPCDW1007’ Mature plant height.Shorter than Taller than ‘SPCDW1007’. ‘Suden1603’. General colorationPurple with dark Dark purple with of the petals. purple veins. darkpurple veins. General coloration Cream to beige, suffused Dark purplewith of the sepals. with purple; purple veins, dark purple veins.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Dendrobiumplant named ‘Suden1603’, substantially as described and illustratedherein.